North East of England outfit Red Alert originally formed in their native Sunderland in early 1979 with a line up of Steve Smith on vocals, Tony Van Frater on guitar, Gaz Stuart on bass, Kid Stocker on guitar and Mitch filling the drum stool. It was this version of Red Alert that recorded the legendary “Third and Final” EP (sometimes know as “Border Guards”), which was released on their own label in the summer of 1980 with all 250 sleeves actually glued together by the band themselves!
Leading Punk label No Future Records picked up on the band (who by now had Nobby on drums and slimmed to a four piece with the departure of Kid Stocker to Red London) and their first release for the label was the legendary “In Britain” EP which shot to the top of the then important Independent Chart.
Incidentally the two demos featured on this release, “S.P.G.” and “I Tore Your Picture Up”, were actually recorded at the same sessions as “In Britain” but, until now, had remained unreleased. A second Indie Chart hit came via mid 82’s “Take no prisoners” EP and they became a leading live attraction following gigs with the likes of The Business, Blitz, The Partisans and Peter & The Test Tube Babies. The “City Invasion” 7” preceded the release of Red Alert’s debut album “We’ve got the power” which, in true Punk value for money style, contained none of the bands singles releases and a different version of “S.P.G.” from that which had appeared on the legendary “Carry on Oi!” LP. A top 5 Indie Album Chart entry, the LP was followed by the six track 12” “There’s a guitar burning” thought this turned out to be the bands last release for No Future as the label folded in early ’84.
Common People Records reissue in a 12” all the singles (plus the 12” “There’s a guitar burning”) of their first years (1980-1983). Singles are “Third and Final”, “In Britain”, “Take no prisoners” and “City Invasion”, as well “There’s a guitar burning” 12”. Edition of 1000 copies, 100 of this include Red Alert A2 Poster and only available at: www.common-people.net